Current Affairs May 2020 - Miscellaneous

• World renowned essayist and novelist, Ruskin Bond, narrated his own short stories on All India Radio over the programme "Bonding Over The Radio".

• Ministry of Coal (MoC) launched a Project Monitoring Unit (PMU) for facilitation of early operationalisation of coal mines allocated by the Central Government.

• During the nation-wide lockdown, Chhattisgarh is currently leading in the country in terms of providing employment to villagers under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act- MGNREGA.

• FIFA launched #WeWillWin campaign to appreciate health workers.

• Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank (KVGB) has launched ‘Vikas Abhaya’ loan scheme to provide some relief to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise(MSME) borrowers whose business activities are disrupted on account of the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Freedom fighter and Padma Shri Gandhian Hema Bharali passed away at the age of 101 years.

• The Centre has directed Arunachal Pradesh government to take up as a "matter of priority" the alleged exclusion of 65,875 Chakmas and Hajongs from the state's "economic package for vulnerable sections in these difficult times of COVID-19 pandemic".

• Government of India announced that the Rebate of State and Central Scheme arrears are to be provided in the form of scrips. It is to be provided by the Department of Revenue Communication.

• International Astronomy Day is celebrated twice a year -- one in autumn (in 2020-May 2) and another in spring (in 2020-September 26) to create awareness and educate people about the beautiful universe.

• The Delhi state government imposed a “special corona fee” of 70% of the MRP on all categories of liquor to boost government revenue.

• The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has issued a notification regarding ban on the export of alcohol-based hand sanitisers to ensure its availability in the domestic market.

• The Minister of State for North East Development held Bamboo Conclave through video conference to boost the economy of the country with the help of Bamboo resources.

• The West Bengal government has rolled out an “Exit App” for people from other states stuck in West Bengal amid the nationwide lockdown and desire to return to their native place.

• Tamil Nadu government increased the retirement age of the government staff, teachers and those in public sector units from 58 years to 59 years.

• Principal Secretary in the Maharashtra Urban Development Department, Iqbal Chahal, was appointed as Mumbai’s new Civic Chief, replacing Praveen Pardeshi.

• The Madhya Pradesh state government will honour all those policemen who rendered their services for thirty days in the fight against Corona with Karmaveer Medal.

• Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike has launched Pranavayu programme to create awareness on the need to self examine the respiratory health for Bengaloreans.

• Founder of Kodava Family Hockey Tournament, Pandanda Kuttappa passed away.

• Mother’s day is celebrated on every second Sunday of month of May. In 2020, it was celebrated on 10th May. The day is widely known to salute the motherhood, to extend the influence of mothers within the society.

• Former Lok Sabha MP and senior Janta Dal (S) leader Raja Rangappa Naik passed away.

• The Gujarat government has mandated the digital payment for all home delivery services in Ahmedabad to prevent the spread of COVID-19 through currency notes.

• Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Arjun Munda held a video conference on “Tribal livelihoods and safety” with States/UTs in New Delhi.

• Technology Development Board (TDB) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) have jointly organised a Digital Conference “RE-START”.

• Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) has organised the Indo-Bangladesh “Virtual Conference”.

• Former national table tennis champion Manmeet Singh Walia passed away at the age of 58 years.

• Sikkim celebrated its 45th statehood day on 17th May. It marks the day in 1975 when Sikkim transitioned to become the 22nd state of the country from being a monarchy earlier.

• The Indian Railways has made the Aarogya Setu app mandatory for the passengers to travel by train.

• Federal Bank Limited has tied-up with MoneyGram Payment System to offer a cost-effective direct-to-bank account credit option for customers in India.

• A virtual conference of Foreign Ministers of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation member countries was held to deliberate on cooperation to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

• The second edition of Extraordinary G20 Virtual Trade and Investment Ministerial Meet was held under the presidency of Saudi Arabia.

• The 32nd Commonwealth Health Ministers’ Meeting was held through Video Conference.

• Armed Forces Day is celebrated on the third Saturday in May of all six branches of the U.S. military: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard and the Marine Corps.

• Canara Bank has started a special business vertical dedicated to gold loans. This business vertical for gold loans to meet the financial needs of its customers due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• The International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Cricket Committee has recommended banning on the use of saliva to shine the ball.

• India Post released a Special Postal Cover dedicated to the migrant workers with an objective of paying tribute to them.

• US biotech firm Moderna revealed the first data from a human trial: its COVID-19 vaccine triggered an immune response in people.

• Chinese President Xi Jinping has announced that China will provide $2 billion over two years to help other countries respond to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. President Xi made the announcement at the 73rd World Health Assembly.

• The Union Territory, Ladakh has become corona virus free as the region have not reported any fresh case since 3rd May 2020.

• Legendary singer Lata Mangeskar has sung a song titled as JAYTU BHARATAM saluting the spirit of Atma Nirbhar Bharat.

• The flagship healthcare scheme of the union government, Ayushman Bharat, has achieved a new milestone after over one crore people have availed treatment under this programme since its launch in September 2018. Treatment worth over Rs 13,400 crore has been provided to the beneficiaries.

• The Competition Commission of India approved acquisition of 100% of the total issued and paid up share capital of Emami Cement Limited, on a fully diluted basis, by Nuvoco Vistas Corporation Limited.

• Two Indian Power lifters namely Savita Kumari& Ankit Shishodia have been provisionally suspended by the National Anti Doping Agency (NADA). The power lifters have been provisionally suspended for violating the anti-doping rules.

• In order to spread awareness about psychological impact of lockdown and measures to be adopted to overcome them, Department of Information and Public Relations, J&K has started an initiative ‘SUKOON’ - COVID-19 Beat the Stress".

• Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister inaugurated 'Everybody will get employment' scheme through video conferencing.

• Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute developed and launched commmercially a RNA extraction kit "Agappe Chitra Magna" for detection of COVID 19.It is the first indigenous kit based on magnetic nanoparticles- based extraction kit in the market and is different from the imported kits based on magnetic particle based- technologies.

• HIL (India) Limited, a PSU under Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertlizers, is now in process of production and supply of 25 MT Malathion Technical for supply to locust control programme to Iran under Government to Government arrangement.

• Experts have marked Kangra tea as a potential coronavirus blocker as it may also be able to boost immunity against coronavirus by blocking the virus activity.

• The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is likely to replace hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) with anti-HIV drugs to improve immunity and possibly reduce viral replication, in the revised protocol.

• The first Solar Lift Irrigation Plant of Kargil with 5KW Solar Plant and 3HP Submersible Pump was inaugurated at Yak Breeding Farm, Bodh Kharboo.

• S&P has projected the Indian economy to contract by 5%.

• Flipkart has signed a MoU with Karnataka State Mango Department and Marketing Corporation, to empower mango farmers to sell their produce online.

• SN Rajeswari has been elected as the Chairman and MD of the Oriental Insurance Company by the Banks Board Bureau (BBB).

• The Sri Lanka Cricket Board has suspended fast bowler Shehan Madushanka from all forms of cricket with immediate effect after he was arrested for alleged possession of illegal drugs.

• Former Tamil Nadu footballer and coach R. Shanmugam passed away.

• According to a World Gold Council (WGC) report, around 37% of Indian women have never bought gold. The report titled ‘Retail Gold Insights: India Jewellery’ also noted that 60% of the Indian women already own gold jewellery.

• Aarogya Setu has become world's largest contact tracing app reaching over 11 crore 40 lakh people in 40 days.

• India has handover the war game centre named as “INDIA” to Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF).

• Fintech startup Zaggle has partnered with “Visa” to launch innovative payment solutions for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and startups.

• World Thyroid Day is observed globally on 25 May annually.

• Rajiv Joshi has bagged the prestigious NYIPLA “Inventor of the Year award” for the year 2020 for his contribution to advancing the electronic industry and improving artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities.

• The Mizoram Cabinet cleared the Sports and Youth Service department’s proposal to recognise sports as an ‘industry’ in the state.

• FICCI Ladies Organization (FLO) has appointed Assam-based entrepreneur Jahnabi Phookan as its National President.

• Abhas Jha has been appointed as the World Bank’s Practice Manager for Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management for South Asia.

• Australian tennis star Ashley Cooper passed away.